A new law has made entering football matches without a ticket a criminal offence in England and Wales, with fines and five-year banning orders set to take effect this weekend ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
The legislation aims to strengthen stadium security and deter unauthorised access.
The Unauthorized Entry to Football Matches Act 2026 establishes that anyone who gains entry without proper authorization, whether by tailgating behind ticket holders, using forged tickets or passes, or impersonating stadium staff, faces fines of up to £1,000 and football banning orders of up to five years.
Courts are expected to impose banning orders on all convictions.
Until now, authorities had limited powers to stop ticketless spectators, often relying on ejections or fraud charges that were difficult to enforce.
READ ALSO:Â Chaos as Kano Pillars Fans Invade Pitch After Equaliser
Officials say the new law gives police and stadium security a clear legal framework to maintain order and protect fans at high-profile matches.
Crime and policing minister Sarah Jones described the legislation as essential for fan and staff safety, highlighting incidents such as the UEFA Euro 2020 final, when thousands of ticketless supporters forced entry into Wembley Stadium.
An independent review of that event recommended criminalising unauthorised entry to prevent crowd disorder and safeguard paying spectators.
The law also applies to attempts to enter using forged credentials or by falsely claiming to be a player or stadium official.
Convicted offenders will receive a criminal record and may be barred from attending regulated matches for up to five years.
This legislation represents a major step in tightening football-related safety measures across England and Wales, reinforcing enforcement against behaviour that threatens both security and the matchday experience.